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(aka "The Engagement" or "The Fiances")
directed by Ermanno Olmi
Italy 1963
Cinema rarely gets as honest, warm and profoundly touching as Ermanno Olmi's "I Fidanzati". The sensitive imagery subtly cascades upon your senses with divergent realism in the foreground to evoke a perfect expression of emotional longing. Without seemingly going into details at all Olmi introduces us to a young couple - their lifestyles - their attachment and their realization of desire through absence. With its minimal dialogue and slow (although even) pacing - this is definitely not a film for everyone, but in others it will strike all the right chords for sympathy, understanding and bonding. A true masterpiece that will linger long after you watch it. The day after viewing and my heart aches with joy and desperation for the characters as I view the screen captures below. out of |
Posters
Theatrical Release: March 25th, 1963 - Italy
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DVD Review: Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC
DVD Box Cover |
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Distribution | Criterion Collection Spine # 195 - Region 0 - NTSC | |
Runtime | 1:17:06 | |
Video | 1.81:1
Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.63 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate:
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Audio | Italian (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono) | |
Subtitles | English, None | |
Features |
Release Information: Studio: Criterion Collection Production Company: Home Vision Entertainment
Aspect Ratio: DVD Release Date: June 24, 2003 |
Edition Details: • Exclusive new video interview with filmmaker Ermanno Olmi and collaborator Tullio Kezich discussing I Fidanzati (18:53) • New essay by critic Kent Jones • Widescreen anamorphic format |
Comments: |
Criterion needs no
extensive accolades from me... their track record of marvelous films
transferred to DVD with sterling success is easily discernable from the casual
collector to the stalwart buff. Here we have yet another example. The
image in "I Fidanzati" has wonderful grain. The use of their
soft subtle contrasts is pure filmic.
I have a strong feeling that aside from the initial theatrical release, this 40-year old film has never looked so good. Criterion again employed their pristine subtitles and an insightful interview as an extra that again enhances the understated beauty of the film. Give yourself a special present and buy this today. out of |
Subtitle Sample
Screen Captures
Recommended Books on Italian Cinema (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
Italian Cinema: From Neorealism to the Present by Peter E. Bondanella |
Fellini on Fellini by Federico Fellini, Isabel Quigley |
Italian Film in the Light of Neorealism by Millicent Marcus |
Vittorio De Sica: Contemporary Perspectives (Toronto
Italian Studies) by Howard Curle, Stephen Snyder |
Italian Film (National Film Traditions) by Marcia Landy, David Desser |
Italian Cinema by Maggie Gunsberg |
I, Fellini by Charlotte Chandler, Billy Wilder |
Vittorio De Sica: Director, Actor, Screenwriter by Bert Cardullo |
DVD Box Cover |
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CLICK to order from: |
Distribution | Criterion Collection Spine # 195 - Region 0 - NTSC |